Pandas prepared for wild release
- 5 years ago
Captive giant pandas get a complete physical examination as the last step before they are returned to the wild in China’s southwest province of Sichuan. The China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Wenchuan County raises the animals with the goal of releasing them after they have enough “wildlife training”.
The latest census figures from 2014 estimate that 1,864 giant pandas live in the wild in China – about 1,000 more than in the late 1970s – thanks to conservation efforts.
While the giant panda is no longer officially considered endangered, the species remains vulnerable. Between 2006 and 2017, 25 captive-bred pandas have been raised and trained at centres across China, and so far seven of nine pandas released survive in the wild.
The latest census figures from 2014 estimate that 1,864 giant pandas live in the wild in China – about 1,000 more than in the late 1970s – thanks to conservation efforts.
While the giant panda is no longer officially considered endangered, the species remains vulnerable. Between 2006 and 2017, 25 captive-bred pandas have been raised and trained at centres across China, and so far seven of nine pandas released survive in the wild.